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B T Butcher

Publications and source records attributed to B T Butcher.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

A critical evaluation of enzyme immunoassays for detection of antinuclear autoantibodies of defined specificities. I. Precision, sensitivity, and specificity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the performance characteristics of enzyme-based immunoassay (EIA) kits for the detection of antinuclear and other autoantibodies of defined specificities. METHODS: Nine manufacturers of EIA kits to detect antibodies of defined specificities participated in a study in which they received coded sera from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These coded sera contained different dilutions of antibody of one specificity mixed with sera containing antibodies of other specificities. The manufacturers were asked to use their standard technology to determine antibody content and send the data to a committee of the International Union of Immunological Societies for analysis. The data were analyzed for sensitivity and specificity in the detection of anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), anti-single-stranded DNA, antihistone, anti-Sm, anti-U1 RNP, anti-SSA/Ro, anti-SSB/La, anti-Scl-70 (DNA topoisomerase I), anticentromere, and anti-Jo-1 antibodies. In addition, replicate samples were included in the coded sera to evaluate the precision of each EIA method. RESULTS: Lack of sensitivity and specificity was most evident in the anti-dsDNA and anti-Sm kits, although 2 kits for anti-dsDNA achieved acceptable sensitivity and specificity. Generally, anti-SSA/Ro, anti-SSB/La, anti-Scl-70, anticentromere, and anti-Jo-1 kits performed well. Many false-positive results were obtained with a multiple myeloma serum containing cryoprecipitates, but multiple myeloma sera without cryoprecipitates presented no problem in the EIA system. Precision, based on evaluation of replicate samples, varied from very good to poor. CONCLUSION: No single manufacturer was clearly superior to others in terms of their products' overall sensitivity, specificity, and precision. Areas that needed improvement were in kits for the detection of antibodies to dsDNA and to Sm antigen. Some EIA kits achieved good sensitivity and specificity. Individual manufacturers were informed of the performance of their respective kits so they could take measures to correct perceived deficiencies and thus improve the reliability of a group of important diagnostic assays used in the evaluation of systemic rheumatic diseases.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1990

Imported fire ant (IFA) sensitivity: IFA-specific levels of serum IgG and IgG4.

Imported fire ant (IFA) whole body extract (WBE) and venom (V)-specific IgG and IgG4 antibodies and specific IgE antibodies were evaluated in sera from 56 IFA-sensitive individuals (18 undergoing immunotherapy with IFAWBE and 38 individuals not being treated) and 44 nonatopic and atopic control subjects with no history of IFA allergy. Although there was no difference in the level of IFAWBE- or IFAV-specific IgG between treated and untreated patients, both groups had higher levels of IFAWBE- and IFAV-specific IgG (p less than 0.05) than did control subjects. Patients receiving treatment tended to have higher levels of IFAWBE-specific IgG4 than did either untreated patients (0.05 less than p less than 0.10) or control subjects (p less than 0.05). Levels of IFAV-specific IgG4 were higher in treated patients than in control subjects (p less than 0.05) but were not different between treated and untreated patients. Levels of IFAWBE- and IFAV-specific IgE antibodies did not differ between the two patient populations but were higher in both groups than in control subjects (p less than 0.05). The ratio of IgG4 to IgE (G4/E) for both IFAWBE and IFAV was calculated for all groups. The ratios of IFAWBE- and IFAV-specific G4/E were higher in treated patients and in control subjects as compared to nontreated patients (p less than 0.05). IFAV-specific G4/E ratios were lower in treated patients than in control subjects, but IFAWBE-specific G4/E ratios were the same as ratios for control subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Allergens↗
PubMed1989

Role of inhalation challenge testing in the diagnosis of isocyanate-induced asthma.

Results of isocyanate challenge tests performed on 63 workers referred with a diagnosis of probable isocyanate asthma between 1974 and 1988 were reviewed. Thirty (48 percent) had an acute episode of asthma with a greater than 20 percent decline in FEV1 following subirritant exposure to isocyanates. No difference in the frequency or type of respiratory complaints between isocyanate reactors and nonreactors was found. No differences in lung function results were present when comparing smoking and ex-smoking reactors and nonreactors. In never-smokers with complaints consistent with isocyanate-induced asthma, the presence of obstructive lung disease increased the likelihood that isocyanate-induced asthma was present. Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine occurred in nearly all isocyanate reactors but predicted isocyanate-induced asthma in only 68 percent of the workers. In nearly all cases of challenge-confirmed toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced asthma, a 15-min exposure to 20 ppb of the commercial TDI mixture (80:20 2,4:2,6) provoked asthma. Conversely, in the absence of an asthmatic response following exposure to this dose for this duration, a second exposure at this concentration for a longer time would be reasonable to confirm the absence of isocyanate-induced asthma. Among workers employed in the production of polyurethane foam and confirmed to have TDI-induced asthma by inhalation challenge to the different TDI isomers, there appeared to be increased airway reactivity to the 2,6 isomer. This may have relevance to the frequency and intensity of respiratory symptoms that workers with TDI-induced asthma develop in differing industrial settings.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Imported fire ant allergy in young children: skin reactivity and serum IgE antibodies to venom and whole body extract.

We studied 19 young children (aged 15 to 39 months) who had had a systemic allergic reaction after imported fire ant (IFA) sting. Skin testing was performed with whole body extract (WBE) of both Solenopsis species; positive reactions to S. invicta was noted in 94% and to S. richteri in 100%. Serum was tested for total IgE level and for specific IgE antibodies by RAST with WBE and venom (V) of S. invicta. In vitro results were compared with those of 19 age and sex-matched atopic control subjects. The range of total serum IgE level was 31 to 1720 IU/ml (geometric mean 160 IU/ml), compared with 7.5 to 6756 IU/ml (geometric mean 85 IU/ml) in the control subjects. The difference between the two groups, however, was not statistically significant (p greater than 0.05). In the IFA-allergic group, the IFA WBE RAST mean binding was 13.5% (range 2.0% to 30.2%), and the IFA V RAST mean was 29.2% (range 7.8% to 46.7%). The control sera demonstrated low levels of activity to both IFA WBE RAST (0.7% to 4.8%) and IFA V RAST (0.7% to 5.9%). IFA WBE RAST demonstrated that 26% of the IFA-allergic patients had counts within the range of the atopic control subjects. In contrast, the IFA V RAST clearly separated all IFA-allergic patients from their age and sex-matched atopic control subjects. A scoring system for IFA V RAST is proposed. These results demonstrate superiority of IFA V over IFA WBE RAST in the diagnosis of allergy to S. invicta.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Evaluation of commercial imported fire ant extracts by crossed immunoelectrophoresis and radioallergosorbent test.

Imported fire ant whole-body extracts (IFAWBE) from three major U.S. commercial suppliers and a reference IFAWBE and imported fire ant venom (IFAV) preparation were compared by crossed immunoelectrophoresis and RAST-inhibition testing. Results of crossed immunoelectrophoretic studies showed major differences in antigen content between commercial preparations. IFAWBE and IFAV RAST-inhibition testing showed that no commercial extract had equivalent inhibitory activity to the reference IFAWBE. Reference IFAWBE reached 50% inhibition of IFAWBE and IFAV RAST at 52 and 492 micrograms/ml, respectively. IFAV gave 50% inhibition of IFAWBE and IFAV RAST at 5.9 and 58 micrograms/ml, respectively. Of the commercial extracts, only those from one supplier were able to reach 50% inhibition of the reference IFAWBE RAST, and no commercial extract from any supplier was able to reach 50% inhibition of IFAV RAST. Analysis of inhibition slopes and intercepts confirmed that there were both qualitative and quantitative differences among the commercial extracts and the reference IFAWBE and IFAV. Our findings suggest possible reasons why some individuals fail to respond to testing or immunotherapy with IFAWBE and show the urgent need for standardization of allergenic extracts for diagnosis and treatment of imported fire ant sensitivity.

Allergens↗
PubMed1988

Prevalence of basidiospore allergy in the Pacific Northwest.

Mold spore-induced respiratory allergy has been incompletely studied, and only a limited number of Fungi Imperfecti are well established as aeroallergens. Basidiomycetes, a complex and common group of fungi, which include mushrooms, rusts, smuts, brackets, and puffballs, have not been well studied. Although basidiospores can be present in high atmospheric concentrations, little is known of their aeroallergen potential. To examine this question, we performed skin prick and RASTs in 33 adult residents of Washington State using a panel of 15 common inhalant allergents that included four Fungi Imperfecti and 15 basidiospore extracts. Thirty-one of 33 (94%) subjects had positive immediate reactions to two or more common inhalants. Nine of 33 (27%) subjects responded to at least one Fungi Imperfecti; reactions were most common to Aspergillus sp. (21%), and least common to Penicillium sp., which were positive in 6%. Positive responses to basidiospore extracts were observed in 10 of 33 (30%) subjects. The prevalence of basidiospore reactivity was similar to that of Fungi Imperfecti, ranging from 18% for Scleroderma sp. to 6% for four different spore extracts. These results demonstrate that a significant number of subjects with respiratory allergies have skin test reactivity to basidiospore extracts, suggesting that these spores could be important aeroallergens in the Pacific Northwest.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Crossed immunoelectrophoretic studies of whole body extracts and venom from the imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta.

Although allergic reactions occur after imported fire ant (IFA) sting, currently, only IFA whole body extract (IFAWBE) is available for diagnosis and immunotherapy of IFA-sensitive individuals. We report our crossed immunoelectrophoretic studies comparing antigenicity and allergenicity of Solenopsis invicta IFAWBE and IFA venom (IFAV). Rabbits were hyperimmunized with IFAWBE prepared from S. invicta or with IFAV obtained from S. invicta by an electric shock method. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis with anti-IFAWBE detected at least 29 precipitin lines in IFAWBE and three lines in IFAV, but none in a synthetic venom, transpiperidine. Anti-IFAV detected six precipitin lines in IFAV and five lines in IFAWBE, but no lines were detected with transpiperidine. Crossed-line immunoelectrophoresis confirmed the IFAV origin of at least three of the peaks in IFAWBE. Crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis with 11 IFAWBE RAST-positive sera elicited radiostaining with five antigens in IFAWBE that were probably IFAV associated. One of these allergens was recognized by all sera; the other allergens were recognized by 8, 7, 5, and 4, respectively, of the 11 sera. Four of the antigens present in IFAV preparations had allergenicity. These findings indicate that IFA allergens probably originate in IFAV, but that transpiperidine, a major constituent of IFAV, does not appear to be immunogenic. The results suggest that IFAV may be a more appropriate reagent than IFAWBE for laboratory testing and for clinical diagnosis and immunotherapy of IFA-sensitive individuals.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

RAST-inhibition studies of the imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta with whole body extracts and venom preparations.

Whole body extracts of imported fire ants (IFAWBE) are the only reagents currently available for diagnosis and immunotherapy of patients with anaphylaxis to these Hymenoptera. To characterize better IFAWBE of the species Solenopsis invicta, we evaluated the sera of 29 patients with systemic or large local reactions to imported fire ant (IFA) stings. Forty-eight percent (14/29) of these sting-sensitive patients were IFAWBE RAST positive (greater than or equal to 6% binding of total radioactivity added). With a pool of sera with an initial IFAWBE-RAST value of 16.2% binding, we evaluated RAST inhibition by IFA venom (IFAV), IFAWBE, and the venom component, transpiperidine. Maximum RAST inhibition obtained was 84% with 300 micrograms/ml of IFAV, 95% with 5 mg/ml of protein IFAWBE, and insignificant with undiluted transpiperdine. We conclude that IFAWBE contains large quantities of immunoreactive venom components other than transpiperidine and that the allergenicity of IFAWBE and venom resides in the small amount of protein present in IFAV.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Comparison of aqueous grain dusts, cotton dusts, and mold extracts by crossed immunoelectrophoretic techniques.

To evaluate the possibility that an immune response is involved in the pathogenesis of grain dust or cotton dust induced respiratory disease, 1 grain dust extract (A) was compared with 4 similar grain dust extracts, a cotton dust extract, and a mixture of fungal preparations, using crossed immunoelectrophoretic techniques and rabbit anti-A sera. All extracts demonstrated a significant number of shared antigenic determinants. These data suggest that grain and cotton dust may induce disease via a common pathogenic mechanism and putative agent(s).

Allergens↗
PubMed1988

Basidiospore extracts: evidence for common antigenic/allergenic determinants.

Spore extracts, prepared from Armillariella tabescens, Pleurotus ostreatus, Coprinus quadrifidus, Amanita muscaria, Ganoderma lucidum, Psilocybe cubensis, Pisolithus tinctorius, Scleroderma sp. and Calvatia cyathiformis, were examined for antigenic/allergenic relationships by Ouchterlony and radioallergosorbent testing (RAST) inhibition, respectively. Ouchterlony, using hyperimmunized rabbit sera, demonstrated a high degree of cross-antigenicity among the extracts tested; however, some unique antigens were also present. RAST inhibition, evaluated by comparing extract concentrations which inhibited the RAST by 50% (IC-50), varied with the allergen tested. P. cubensis was the most potent inhibitor (IC-50 ranged from 0.034 mg/ml for A. tabescens RAST to 0.29 mg/ml for G. lucidum RAST). P. tinctorius was the least potent inhibitor, failing to reach IC-50 at 10 mg/ml for any basidiospore extract. Evaluation of slopes and intercepts of the dose-response lines demonstrated qualitative and quantitative differences among allergens in these extracts. These results indicate the presence of shared allergenic epitopes, and suggest that representative extract panels could be developed for future use in diagnosis and treatment of basidiospore-sensitive individuals.

Allergens↗
PubMed1988

Superiority of Solenopsis invicta venom to whole-body extract in RAST for diagnosis of imported fire ant allergy.

RAST determinations using imported fire ant (IFA) whole-body extract (IFAWBE) and venom (IFAV) were performed with the sera of 29 sting-sensitive patients. Only 48% (14/29) of sera were positive (percent binding greater than or equal to 6%) in RAST to IFAWBE compared with 79% (23/29) positive to IFAV, and there was significantly greater binding to IFAV than to IFAWBE (p less than or equal to 0.0002). Thus, RAST with IFAV identified 31% more sting-sensitive individuals than RAST with IFAWBE, a finding similar to that noted in studies using IFAV and IFAWBE for skin testing. We conclude that IFAV is the more appropriate allergen for use in in vitro tests to detect IFA-specific IgE antibody in allergic patients.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Basidiomycete allergy: measurement of spore-specific IgE antibodies.

RAST with 12 basidiospore extracts demonstrated that a significant percent of 42 individuals with symptoms of perennial rhinitis and/or asthma and skin reactivity to at least one spore extract had spore-specific IgE antibodies. These antibodies were not demonstrable in 14 atopic, symptomatic, skin test negative control subjects nor in five nonatopic, asymptomatic control subjects. There was a statistically significant association between RAST and skin test results for all but three of the spore extracts. A statistically significant association was also observed between RAST results obtained with most of the different spore extracts. A similar association was present for skin test results with different spore extracts. These results provide evidence that basidiospore extracts are suitable allergens for use in diagnostic studies of respiratory disease associated with exposure to basidiomycetes.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Fusarium solani: evidence for common antigenic/allergenic determinants with other Fungi Imperfecti.

Aqueous extracts of Fusarium solani and other members of the Fungi Imperfecti were evaluated for the presence of common antigenic/allergenic determinants using skin-prick testing, radio-allergo-sorbent test (RAST) inhibition, and immunoelectrophoretic methods. Prevalence of skin reactivity in forty-four atopic individuals, tested with commercially available fungal extracts, ranged from 27.3% for Alternaria tenuis to 6.8% for Penicillium notatum. No specific patterns of reactivity emerged from statistical analyses of skin test data. In contrast, RAST inhibition demonstrated common allergenic determinants. P. notatum and Aspergillus glaucus inhibited F. solani RAST by 79% and 84%, respectively. This was supported by crossed line immunoelectrophoresis; both P. notatum and A. glaucus had antigenic determinants in common with F. solani. Collectively, these studies suggest that F. solani, P. notatum, and A. glaucus have several common antigenic/allergenic determinants.

Allergens↗
PubMed1986

Basidiomycete mycelia and spore-allergen extracts: skin test reactivity in adults with symptoms of respiratory allergy.

One hundred fifty adults, with respiratory-allergic disease, and 14 control subjects, without symptoms of respiratory allergy, were skin prick tested with 16 common inhalant allergens, 12 extracts of mycelia from Basidiomycetes grown in vitro, and/or 10 to 15 basidiospore extracts. Eighty-three subjects (58%) had positive skin tests to two or more of the common inhalant allergens. Twenty-seven percent of the study subjects had positive skin reactions to one or more of the Basidiomycete mycelia extracts, and 32% demonstrated positive skin reactions to one or more basidiospore extracts. None of the 14 control subjects had positive skin reactivity to basidiospore extracts. Skin prick reactivity of study subjects to 15 different basidiospore extracts ranged from 5% for Cantharellus cibarius to 17% for Scleroderma sp. The prevalence of skin test reactivity to basidiospores did not differ significantly from the reactivity to commercial mold extracts of several common species of the Fungi Imperfecti (6% for Cladosporium herbarum or Penicillium notatum to 13% for Alternaria tenuis). These results demonstrate that a significant number of individuals reporting symptoms of respiratory allergy have skin test reactivity to basidiospores and suggest that these spores are important fungal aeroallergens in the New Orleans environment.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Occupational asthma.

Occupational asthma accounts for a significant percentage of all asthma. Prevalence varies markedly, depending on host factors, the agent, and the manufacturing facility. The number of agents capable of inducing occupational asthma is large and will continue to increase as new agents are introduced into the workplace. Once an individual is sensitized, very low concentrations of the agent can initiate an asthmatic response. In many cases the mechanisms of the asthma are yet to be determined. The ultimate outcome of both the specific asthmatic response and the nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity that usually occurs is variable, but in some cases it can continue for decades. Future needs are a better understanding of the prevalence of occupational asthma and the causative mechanisms involved in the disease and prophylactic or "desensitizing" measures. Environmental experts should explore methods to decrease the exposure of workers, and manufacturers should also begin to explore the possibility that chemical modification of their products may reduce their asthmatic potential (e.g., MDI, which has a vapor pressure 1000 times less than TDI, appears to be a significantly less potent inducer of occupational asthma). Finally, the physician, by identifying individuals with occupational asthma, will help improve our understanding of the disease, the mechanisms involved, and the development of therapeutic and preventive modalities.

Asthma↗